What Is a Sideburn Hair Transplant?
Some people struggle to grow sideburns or side whiskers — hair that runs parallel to the ears on the sides of the face. Conversely, some people want to hide surgical scars in that area. In either case, permanent hair growth is possible through a sideburn hair transplant.
Can Sideburns Be Successfully Transplanted?
Sideburn restoration can indeed be done successfully, typically using scalp hair as the donor area.
Particularly, individuals who have undergone facial cosmetic surgery, such as a facelift, might be interested in sideburn restoration. According to the 2022 practice census by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), sideburn hair transplants accounted for 1% of the procedures women had.
In addition to camouflaging scars, whether from a traumatic injury or surgery, sideburn restoration can also be done to improve the overall density of the area if it’s sparse and patchy.
Hair transplantation can also be done if a person has lost their sideburns due to frontal fibrosing alopecia — although you’ll have to wait 1-2 years after the condition has gone into remission before undergoing surgery.
Which Technique Is Used To Restore Sideburns?
Sideburn hair restoration can be done using the follicular unit extraction (FUE) or follicular unit transplantation (FUT) methods.
In FUE, a punch tool is used to extract hair follicles from the back of the scalp. These are then transplanted into the sideburns via small incisions. This method of transplantation doesn’t require any stitches.
In contrast, since the FUT method involves excising a piece of skin from the scalp, from which follicles are then extracted, it requires sutures. It also leaves a relatively noticeable linear scar at the back of the scalp, because of which FUE is typically preferred.
Considerations For Sideburn Hair Transplants
A sideburn hair transplant requires careful consideration about the placement of the transplanted grafts. According to a 2021 study published in the Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery, the following might be done in sideburn restoration to achieve optimal results:
- Creating coronal (horizontal) incisions so that the hair is acutely angled and “parallel to existing hair.”
- Keeping density higher in the upper region because the hair will grow downward and create an “overlapping effect,” which will create the illusion of fullness.
The authors of the study also note that as much as 200 grafts might be needed per sideburn, totalling 400 grafts. Although, of course, this number can vary depending on your needs.
Lastly, bear in mind that there can also be gender-based differences between the design and density of sideburns. According to one academic literature, men’s sideburns are broader at the end and denser (40-50 follicles per cm2), while women’s sideburns are pointed at the end and less dense (20-30 follicles per cm2).
Therefore, it’s important that you find someone who is experienced in performing sideburn restorations. Make sure to look at the before and after photos of their previous patients as well to get an idea of their work.
How Much Do Sideburn Hair Transplants Cost?
A sideburn hair transplant may cost you £3,000 or so in the UK, although prices can vary between clinics depending on their location, the expertise of the surgical team and the price per graft. The number of grafts required and the complexity of the procedure will also affect the overall cost.
You can also get this surgery in Istanbul for almost half the price due to the lower cost of living and currency exchange rates. In any case, it’s important to find someone who is experienced and qualified to give you your desired results.
Interested In A Sideburn Hair Transplant?
Sideburn Transplant Cost
Dr Cagla
Dr Cagla earned her medical degree at Trakya University’s Faculty of Medicine in Bulgaria and has almost 6 years of hair transplantation experience. She is a specialist in FUE, DHI and Sapphire hair transplants of the scalp, eyebrows and beard and has performed over 6,000 surgeries. Dr Cagla is multilingual, with fluency in English, Bulgarian and Turkish.
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